11-Year-Old Boy Killed in Daytime Shooting at Minneapolis Park

Minneapolis, MN (MinnesotaNow)-- An 11-year-old boy was shot and killed Monday afternoon in a tragic act of violence that unfolded at Folwell Park in north Minneapolis, police confirmed.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the boy’s death “heartbreaking” and urged anyone with information to step forward.

“I cannot emphasize enough how terrible it is to have an 11-year-old boy shot and killed in the middle of the day,” Chief O’Hara said in a statement. “We need anyone with information to come forward so we can bring some sense of justice to this child’s family. We are following every lead, but we need the public’s help to solve this.”

READ MORE: Fight Leads to Shooting Death of Young Minnesota Man

According to police, officers responded around 2:08 p.m. to reports of gunfire at Folwell Park, located on Dowling Avenue North. Initial reports indicate shots were fired within the park, and witnesses saw a vehicle driving through the area along with two other vehicles in the nearby parking lot.

Police say a short time later, a resident near Morgan and Dowling Avenues heard cries for help while sitting on his porch. The man found the injured boy and two other males outside his home. He placed the child and one of the men into his vehicle and began driving toward the hospital.

On the way, the resident flagged down a police officer at the intersection of Penn and Dowling Avenues. The officer quickly removed the boy from the vehicle and began lifesaving efforts, later joined by fire and EMS personnel. Despite their efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

READ MORE: Tragic Shooting In Minneapolis Leaves One Dead And Another Injured

The identities of the boy and the circumstances leading to the shooting are still under investigation. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release the victim’s name, along with the official cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a financial reward if the information leads to an arrest and conviction.